11/13/14

Thursday, November 13, 2014 -

Hoddy Estuary and Queens Park


Yesterday we went to Hoddy Estuary park Hoddy Estuary Park and Queens park, Nelson.

Hoddy Estuary Park

 Hoddy Estuary Park is a great spot. With it's many Kingfisher nest boxes, it's pond and estuary, it is a great place for bird like Scaup, Teal and Kereru. There are many nest boxes scattered around the place. There is also a board walk at the far end of the pond where you will find many duck hiding including a pair of Grey Teal and their chick. Three domestic Pied Swedish ducks also habitat the pond. The estuary is home to many kingfisher and pukeko.
The Friends of Hoddy Estuary are planting and landscaping to attract Banded Rail so keep a look out for this species.

Queens Garden (Park)

  Queens Garden is a surprisingly good place to bird.
What with the Cormorant colony, the duck pond, and the relatively tame birds such as the Blackbird to the right.
 The colony of cormorants is large (20+) consisting of many species. Juveniles may be seen sitting in their nests and adults fly over the pond every few minutes.
 Ducks are manly Mallards with one Grey duck, a Pekin and a Khaki Campbell x. One pied swedish x drake was hanging out with the Khaki duck hen. A pair of Paradise Shelduck bathe in the waters.
 Red-billed gull, Sparrow and Chaffinch pace the edges of the water and the gardens waiting for the human inhabitants to pass out the goodies. Greenfinch, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Silvereye and fantail can also be heard or seen in the trees.
 Ducklings must watch out for the small eels swimming at the bottom of the pond where as the cormorants may be pleased by these slimy interlopers.

Many other species may be present at these places, but I may not have seen them. Great reason to go again!
Both are lovely places to visit and except dogs to come on a leash!

Here are my Checklists from each place:

Queen's Garden Checklist (Estimates)
Mallard X                                                              Paradise Shelduck 2
Grey duck 1                                                          Feral duck ssp. 3
Chaffinch X                                                            Goldfinch X
Redpoll X                                                               Greenfinch X
Sparrow X                                                             Song thrush X
Blackbird 3                                                            Fantail 1
Shag sp. X                                                              Little Shag X
R-B gull X

Hoddy Estuary Park (Estimates)
                                                         
Mallard X                                                              Paradise Shelduck 8+
Grey duck 1                                                          Feral duck ssp. 3
Grey teal 3                                                            New Zealand Scaup 3
Chaffinch X                                                            Goldfinch X
Redpoll X                                                               Greenfinch X
Sparrow X                                                             Song thrush X
Blackbird X                                                            Tui X
Kereru 1                                                                 Kingfisher X
Fantail X                                                                 W Swallow 2
Shining Cuckoo 1                                                   Little Shag 2  
B-backed gull 1

 P.S Top 3  and last 2 photos are from Queens. The others are from Hoddy.

 P.S again. Check my Flickr for more photos.

 P.S.A.A Hoddy estuary park's picasa here. 


I have no idea what this is for. Drainage? Strange nest box?